Dr. Steinbock is Guest Fellow of Shanghai Institutes for International Studies (SIIS). He also has affiliations with think-tanks focusing on the United States, Europe and India. For more see: http://www.differencegroup.net

A huge upgrade of infrastructure is vital for the Philippines' economic future. That's why it is contested by entrenched interests, including foreign powers. This is the first in a series of occasional commentaries about the Philippines' transformation from an international viewpoint.